JT Grade DVM, PhD
Uganda: +256-758 899777
USA: +1-415 858 4262
Belgium: +32-488 94449
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Hello from Africa!
on 19th April:
Hello Dear Ones,
The rain is falling hard outside my window. I am sipping on a hot
African tea and finally writing to all of you. I have been so frustrated
with the lack of connection available here. I have felt very isolated
since arriving in Karamoja. But, due to a truck issue we have traveled
down to Mbale and are waiting for repairs to be done, which means that I
have a window of opportunity to send this email out.
Thank you so much for praying for me. It is such an encouragement as I
have needed those prayers. This has been an intense time of spiritual
warfare. All of my expectations of what life would be like here have
been challenged. His ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts our
thoughts. This is a truth that God keeps bringing me back to and keeps
encouraging me in. Despite the circumstances or changes that I face, He
remains faithful and true. He is continually working things together for
good. He is actively involved. It is good, but it is not easy.
more on:
Monday, April 23, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Lotim travels
The KKAB team had a chance to visit Lotim just before Simon and Carina Gruber left. Unfortunately, Miriam and Melissa didn't join as our poultry project had an outbreak of Infectious Coryza and 100% was affected. Dr Jean and Melissa (an Australian vet student with us til Dec) tested for avian flu and Newcastles Disease and got the flock started on meds while Miriam and the chick-chicks moved the hens and thouroughly cleaned the hen house. Mukisa brought meds the next day and all survived.
meanwhile -in Lotim, Tom commissioned 4 huts to be built atop Lotim ridge (see pix above), the walls still need to be mudded and doors fitted. none-the-less, we slept inside them after sitting around a camp-fire that Simon built. we've had 2 good months with the Grubers and will truely miss them as they return to Germany to pray over their next step. They came to survey the land and the team and seek God's will if they should join our ministry. Pray for clarity for them and unity for us. We'd love to have them join us!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Using latrines is a taboo in Karamoja
By Joseph Orisa
It is a taboo to use latrines in Karamoja and any leader who talks
about latrines risks being rejected by the people, Mark Namuya Lochieng,
the assistant chief administrative officer, Kotido, has said.
Namuya disclosed this during the recent celebrations to mark World
Water Day held in Kotido. Kotido is one of the districts that make up
Karamoja sub-region. Others are Nakapiripirit, Kaabong, Moroto, and
Abim.
During the same function the district health inspector, Godfrey
Ocheng Malanda revealed that over 75% of Kotido district leaders do not
have latrines in their homes. The leaders include councillors, members
of parliament and civil servants. Malanda said a survey done throughout
Kotido district during the sanitation week found that 90% of the people
ease themselves in the bush.
“Even the few latrines in the communities are just there for formality; they are not being used,” Namuya said.
Residents expressed mixed feelings over the use of latrines. Albina
Napii, a resident of Rengen sub-county, said she could not use a
latrine because it makes women barren.
She also said many women who had shared toilets with their in-laws had allegedly gone blind.
However, Mercellina Anyango, a resident of Panyagara sub-county
said she did not have a pit latrine because it is expensive to dig.
Facts about Karamoja
1. The region of Karamoja covers over 27,900 square kilometres.
2. The region is mostly semi-arid with harsh climate and low annual rainfall.
3. It is largely savannah, covered with seasonal grasses, thorned plants and occasional small trees.
The large mountains; Mt. Kadam, Mt. Napak, and Mt. Moroto — lying
on the periphery of Karamoja have peaks reaching around 3,000 metres
(10,000 feet) and higher.
4. Karamoja depends on cattle, mining and trading in agricultural produce with neighbouring districts.
5. The Karimojong have been armed for the past 20 years and use the guns in interclan and cross-border cattle rustling raids.
Traditionally, young Karamoja men need cattle to pay bride price.
So they often raid and grab cattle from the neighbouring clans.
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